Ruined Castle Walk

Entering into the Jamison Valley via the popular Golden Staircase, this walk climbs one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Jamison Valley – The Ruined Castle. A beautiful rock formation that offers great views over the valley as far as Wentworth Falls and Katoomba. Explore some of the history of the coal mining in this part of the Jamison Valley.

(0km) Golden Stairs Track carpark → Bottings Lookout

210 m

8 mins

9m

-80m

Moderate track

From the Golden Stairs car park and information sign on Glenraphael Dr[1], the walk follows the ‘Golden Stairs / To Federal Pass’ sign[2] along the narrow track. The track leads gently downhill[3] past the black and yellow ‘Warning – Sections of the Golden Stairs are unfenced and can be slippery when wet’ sign[4], with the occasional glimpse out to Malaita Point and towards the Three Sisters[5][6]. The walk soon heads down a few steep eroded sections of track[7] and passes through a couple of switchbacks. The track then leads to a fenced rock platform[8] signposted as ‘Botting’s L.O.’[9].

Botting’s Lookout

Botting’s Lookout[10] offers great views over the Jamison Valley and the cliff line, including the Landslide, Malaita Point and the Golden Stairs. A plaque at the lookout states that the lookout was named after Walter Botting (1887-1985)[11], a pioneer trail-maker of the Katoomba District. More info.

(0.21km) Bottings Lookout → Bottom of Golden Staircase

430 m

19 mins

41m

-177m

Hard track

Turn right: From the lower side of Botting’s Lookout[12], this walk heads downhill along the eroded track[13]. The walk follows the steps through a narrow gully[14] then turns right to flatten out[15] and head under a small overhang between the cliff and fence (passing a ‘Caution Rockfall Hazard’ sign[16]). After about 100m of fence, the track turns right to cross a wide gully[17]. On the other side of the gully, this walk climbs down a series of metal[18] and stone[19] staircases. The walk flattens again before heading down another series of stairs. Finally, the track winds down the wide spur[20] to meet the signposted T-intersection with ‘Federal Pass’[21].

(0.64km) Bottom of Golden Staircase → Miners Campsite

2.3 km

51 mins

104m

-129m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Federal Pass – Ruined Castle’ sign[22] along the flat wide track, keeping the valley to your left. This track follows the old horse-drawn coal tram route. The track leads through a tall rainforest filled with fern trees[23] and vines[24], with the occasional lyrebird. After about 1.3km the forest opens up[25], letting in more light and exposing some distant filtered views. After wandering through the more open forest[26] for about 250m, the track passes a small campsite[27] (on the right). This walk continues for another 700m along the main track through the bracken fern forest[28] to find a larger campsite[29] (just up to the right) with a short stone wall on one side[30]).

Miners Campsite

This flat campsite beside the Federal Pass walking track about 2.2km south of the intersection at the bottom of the Golden Stairs. There is short constructed stone wall[31] left over from when there area was habited by miners. The campsite is surrounded by a tall forest, bracken ferns and some nice fern trees. There is no water or facilities.

(2.9km) Miners Campsite → Northern Ruined Castle campsite

300 m

7 mins

16m

-11m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the miners campsite[32], this walk follows the clear track south-west, keeping the valley to your left. The mostly flat track narrows a bit as it leads past a large flat area (on your right) after about 140m[33], then past a smaller campsite[34] a short distance later. The track then winds through the forest for another 100m to come to a clearing and signposted three-way intersection[35], where there is a ‘Federal Pass – Katoomba’ sign[36] pointing back along the track. (There is a campsite a few metres further on and to the the left[37].)

Northern Ruined Castle campsite

A short distance south east of the intersection[38] with the Federal Pass and the northern access track to the Ruined Castle, is a fairly large basic campsite. There are two main flat areas for camping, both with fire scares[39]. The area is surround with tall trees and ferns[40][41][42][43]. There is no water nor any other facilities.

(3.2km) Northern Ruined Castle campsite → Ruined Castle

730 m

20 mins

82m

-17m

Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Ruined Castle’[44] sign uphill along the eroded track and soon passes the yellow ‘Warning – Remote area indistinct route steep terrain – Exposed climbing loose surfaces – No reliable water Carry plenty Sterilise any water found on route’ sign[45]. The track winds up the wide valley getting steeper as it goes, climbing up onto the main ridgeline. Here the walk turns left (away from the view of Castle Head[46]) and follows the rocky track more gently uphill for about 220m to pass under the side of a large boulder[47]. The track continues along the narrow ridge for about 280m, with some filtered views past another large boulder to the base of the tall Ruined Castle summit[48]. Here the walk heads gently down a bit (keeping the rock wall to your left), past a crevice[49], then follows the main track to the other (southern) side of the summit. The track then heads up again to find a number of rocky pinnacles[50].

(3.93km) Ruined Castle → Northern Ruined Castle campsite

1.3 km

35 mins

78m

-145m

Experienced only

Continue straight: From near the summit of Ruined Castle[51], this walk heads south-east along the main ridgeline, initially keeping the rock wall to your left[52]. The track follows the rocky ridgeline gently downhill[53] and after about 70m the track starts to become much steeper[54]. The track winds down, flattening out for a short time[55] before continuing steeply down to a sign posted three-way intersection[56] just beyond the ‘Ruined Castle to Mount Solitary’ map[57]. There is a ‘Ruined Castle’ arrow[58] here, pointing back up the hill.Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Katoomba’ sign[59][60] along the mostly flat and clear track[61], keeping the main valley to your right. The track almost immediately passes a campsite[62] (down a steep track on your right) and continues along the flat through the ferny forest[63]. A little over 200m later, the track passes a large square boulder[64], then about 100m further, this walk comes to an intersection[65], where there is a fair amount of coal on the ground[66], a campsite down to your right[67] and the entrance to an old small coal mine[68] (behind a rock) on your left.Continue straight: From the intersection[69], this walk heads along the main track[70] initially keeping the campsite[71] down to your right. The clear track is mostly flat and passes through a tall turpentine forest[72] for about 500m before passing another campsite[73] (on your right). Then, just a few metres further on, this walk comes to a signposted three-way intersection[74] where a sign points back along the track to ‘Mount Solitary’[75]. Now Turn left to rejoin the main walk .

Maps for the Ruined Castle Walk walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Cross sectional view of the Ruined Castle Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Ruined Castle Walk

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length

7.9 km

Time

5 hrs

.

Grade 4/6

Hard track

AS 2156.1

Gradient

Very steep (4/6)

Quality of track

Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)

Signs

Minimal directional signs (4/6)

Experience Required

Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)

Weather

Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Infrastructure

Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

2.6km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.2km is very steep. The remaining (210m) has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 3.2km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 730m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

3km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 730m has minimal directional signs. The remaining (210m) is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

3km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 730m requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (210m) requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 3.2km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 730m is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 3.7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 210m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Ruined Castle Walk walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bmnp-gstrc
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.